Korean J Anesthesiol.  2009 Feb;56(2):162-168. 10.4097/kjae.2009.56.2.162.

Comparison of vertical infraclavicular brachial plexus block with 0.5% levobupivacaine and 0.5% ropivacaine for upper limb surgery

• Cho CK
• Kim JY
• Jung SM
• Kwon HU
• Kang PS
• Kim CW
• Han JU
• Yang CW

• KMID: 2299312
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.2009.56.2.162

Abstract

BACKGROUND
We performed a prospective, double blind study to compare the clinical effect of vertical infraclavicular brachial plexus block produced by 0.5% levobupivacaine and 0.5% ropivacaine for upper limb surgery.
METHODS
We included 60 patients receiving upper limb surgery under infraclavicular brachial plexus block. The infraclavicular brachial plexus block was performed via the vertical technique with 30 ml of 0.5% levobupivacaine or 0.5% ropivacaine. We observed which nerve type was stimulated and scored the sensory and motor block. The quality of block was assessed intraoperatively. The duration of sensory and motor block and complications were assessed.
RESULTS
There were no significant differences in frequencies of stimulated nerve type, evolution of sensory and motor block quality, or success of block. There were no significant difference in duration of sensory block, but duration of motor block was prolonged after 0.5% levobupivacaine. There were no complications.
CONCLUSIONS
Both 0.5% levobupivacaine and 0.5% ropivacaine had similar effects in the vertical infraclavicular brachial plexus block.

Keyword

Infraclavicular brachial plexus block; Levobupivacaine; Ropivacaine; Upper limb surgery

MeSH Terms

Amides
Brachial Plexus
Bupivacaine
Double-Blind Method
Humans
Prospective Studies
Upper Extremity
Amides
Bupivacaine